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Domenici's Final "Access" Radio Show--Questions & Answers with New Mexico Radio Journalists

from the Office of Senator Pete V. Domenici

Monday, December 15, 2008

Click here for an Audio Clip

(Audio also available at 1-800-545-1267 ext. 309)

U.S. Senator Pete Domenici recorded his last “ACCESS” radio news conference Monday, December 15, 2008.

PARTICIPANTS:

• Tim Keithly, KRUI Ruidoso

• Evan Woodward, KRWG Las Cruces

• Craig Kennedy, KKOB Albuquerque

• Gillian Sutton, KRSN Los Alamos

• Mike Jaxson, KSVP Artesia

• John McBreen, KYVA Gallup

REVIEW OF TOPICS:

00:00 Notes 20-year run of his “Access” radio show.

01:09 Discussion of change in life after retirement and contributions he hopes to make as a retired Senator. Thanks to broadcast reporters for being part of Senate career.

03:15 An explanation of his final vote in the Senate as a belief that debate should continue on a compromise plan for the U.S. auto industry bailout.

05:27 The likely need for the Bush Administration to act on auto industry rescue plan before the start of the 111th Congress, and a review of whether the existing financial industry program can be used to help the auto manufacturers.

08:01 An assessment of whether a federal bailout will ensure long-term viability of the U.S. auto industry.

09:40 A discussion the science-based stockpile stewardship program as one of the most significant accomplishments of the DOE national laboratories, and the tremendous advances in supercomputing that resulted from that program.

11:43 A special message to the people of Los Alamos and a hint of how he hopes to still be involved in science and nuclear matters after the end of his Senate term.

12:37 A review of some of the major projects he has promoted in southeast New Mexico, including the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, FLETC-Artesia, the private-sector uranium enrichment plant at Eunice and sustaining the potash industry. He also notes quail hunting in the region.

15:30 An update on his work to try to advance a final FY2009 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, which was a topic of discussion with Senator-elect Tom Udall last week. He says Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories should fare relatively well in that bill.

16:22 A view of the challenges facing the United States in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and the outlook for the conduct of the wars under President-elect Barack Obama. He says he is unsure how history will view the Iraq war, but speculates that it could be positive if Iraq becomes a stable government.

19:25 A discussion of the risks that a massive public works program, as proposed by Obama, will be effective in solving the economic recession. He says such public works programs often miss the target and come too late to affect the overall economy or unemployment. He says anti-recessionary tax cuts should be considered.

21:56 Revealing his work to try to finalize a FY2009 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, and his discussions with Senator-elect Tom Udall about that work. He says Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories should fare well under that pending spending bill.

24:48 A belief that Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories will face changes, but that they should be viable and productive over the long term.

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